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The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and
coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.
United Nations
Nations Unies
ةدﺣﺗﻣﻟا مﻣﻷا
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
ﺔﯾﻧﺎﺳﻧﻹا نوؤﺷﻟا ﻖﯾﺳﻧﺗﻟ ةدﺣﺗﻣﻟا مﻣﻷا بﺗﻛﻣ
Joint statement by the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian
Coordinator ad interim for Syria, El-Mostafa Benlamlih, and the Regional
Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Muhannad Hadi, on the earthquake
in Türkiye, Syria
Damascus, Amman, 7 February 2023
The United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator ad interim for Syria, El-
Mostafa Benlamlih, and the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, Muhannad Hadi,
reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to support the people of Syria in the wake of the devastating
earthquake that struck southern Türkiye and northern Syria on the morning of 6 February. The tragedy
has already claimed thousands of lives and damaged scores of buildings.
In the early hours of 6 February, multiple earthquakes, the strongest being of 7.7 magnitude struck
southern Türkiye and northern Syria. The epicenter was identified as Gaziantep near the Türkiye-Syria
border and at least 78 aftershocks have been confirmed so far. The earthquake impacted several
governorates in north, central, south, and coastal parts of Syria. Human and material damages were
reported, mainly in Aleppo, Lattakia, Hama, Idleb, in addition to Tartous Governorates. The earthquake
has left many without food, shelter and in need of medical and psychosocial assistance.
“We express our sincere condolences to the victims’ families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
We stand in solidarity with the people of Syria and Türkiye during this time of need. Urgent support is
needed to be able to respond to all those who have been affected in this terrible tragedy,” said Mr
Benlamlih.
Syria’s 12-year crisis has devastated the country, destroyed much of its public infrastructure and left
millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. Syria is also grappling with an economic collapse
and a severe water, electricity and fuel shortages. Even before the earthquake, nearly 70 per cent of
the population was in need of humanitarian assistance. “We appeal to all donor partners to provide
the assistance necessary to alleviate suffering,” said Mr Hadi. “This tragedy will have a devastating
impact on many already vulnerable families who struggle to provide for their loved ones on a daily
basis,” he added.
The UN and humanitarian partners are assessing the impact in the affected areas and closely
coordinating the response. The response focuses on the most immediate needs, including food,
shelter, non-food items and medicines. Much more is needed to ensure no one is left behind. The
response capacity in the affected areas is dire, where search and rescue operations are seriously
hampered due to the lack of equipment and machinery and a difficult operating environment. The
humanitarian community is grateful for the generosity of our donor partners so far and calls on all
parties to ensure unfettered access to the affected communities to ensure timely, coordinated
assistance.
For further information:
Olga Cherevko, Spokesperson, OCHA Syria, Damascus, [email protected]g
Madevi Sun Suon, Public Information Officer, Gaziantep, madevi.sun-[email protected]g
